Diy Powerhead From An Old Filter?

[aly_starh]

i have the Interpet IPF duo 2 Filter spare, i just read someone made the top of it into a powerhead? Could that work.

It would be basically submersing the impellor into the water without the Media Holder below it.

Or would that be too dangerous, could live stock potentially get mashed up, if caught in there?

 

[AK77]

i have the Interpet IPF duo 2 Filter spare, i just read someone made the top of it into a powerhead? Could that work.

It would be basically submersing the impellor into the water without the Media Holder below it.

Or would that be too dangerous, could live stock potentially get mashed up, if caught in there?

If you have an exposed impeller, then yes, it will only be a matter of time before a fish or shrimp gets caught in it and mashed up. If you want a cheap yet effective pump, then look on ebay for vibration pumps. They look like the Hydor Koralia's but are much, much cheaper. Get two. One to use and one as a spare.

Like this one for example

 

[aly_starh]

Thanks, will look into that.

I noticed the Koralias were a tad out my price range

 

[AK77]

Thanks, will look into that.

I noticed the Koralias were a tad out my price range

Yeah they are expensive. Shelaghfishface on here using this chinese copies of the Koralias and her tank seems to be doing very well. Although these are 3000LPH, its not like a jet of water that will blast the fish against one side of the tank. If you got two of these and just kept one as a spare incase the first failed for some reason, then all should be well.

 

[aly_starh]

oh, so that will be fine for my tank.

I think i might buy it then.

Thanks

 

[Betta5]

Just thought I would say. I have some similar cheap powerheads on my baby goldfish tank and they work really well. Goldies need highly oxygenated water (esp in tanks and as babies) so I got a few and they were only cheap and was suprised they work well. Obv not the exact same ones but I still have a few running on one of my tanks, so they dont just break down after a day/week/month.

 

[aly_starh]

Well, i just saw its 450LPH,
Its the powerhead part of the filter and the impellor is enclosed so there is no risk to livestock.

I will use it to mix the saltwater...!

 

[AK77]

Well, i just saw its 450LPH,
Its the powerhead part of the filter and the impellor is enclosed so there is no risk to livestock.

I will use it to mix the saltwater...!

Depending on the size of the container you use to hold the water, 450LPH may not be the greatest for mixing the salt into it. If its a large container, like an empty tub of Kent Marine sea salt or just a bug bucket, then the salt at the bottom may not fully dissolve. If the container is white or very light in colour, you don't spot the undissolved salt and add more because your refractometer is reading a low SG, you potentially run the risk of dumping too much salt into your tank. Ideally you want a lot of water circulating in the container with a lot of surface aggitation too, as this helps to drive the dissolved CO2 out of it and increase oxygen.

I used to use at least one 2500LPH in a Kent Marine salt bucket. The salt water definitely got mixed then lol. If its only a small container, then disregard the above

Its also a good idea to age your fresh saltwater for a couple of days. So if you do a water change on Sundays, then start the mix on Friday. The salt should be fully dissolved throughout all the water and the water should be sufficiently oxygenated too.

 

[aly_starh]

10L bucket? is that ok?

 

[AK77]

10L bucket? is that ok?

It should be ok. I'd put it in the base of the bucket 1 day, then move it to nearer the surface to cause lots of surface aggitation the next. You could also plop and airstone in there too.

 

[aly_starh]

Cool

Thanks for the help AK